Shopify Affiliate Program Review + Earning Potentials (2025)

Shopify’s Affiliate Program stands out in the affiliate marketing landscape, offering individuals and businesses a lucrative opportunity to earn commissions by promoting one of the world’s leading e-commerce platforms. 

With over 5 million active Shopify stores worldwide as of February 2024, the potential for affiliates to tap into this expansive market has never been more promising. Let’s learn everything you need to know about Shopify and their affiliate program.

What is the Shopify Affiliate Program?

The Shopify Affiliate Program is a commission-based marketing program that allows individuals, content creators, and businesses to earn money by referring new users to Shopify. Affiliates promote Shopify through unique tracking links, and when someone signs up for a paid Shopify plan through their link, they earn a commission.

This program is designed for bloggers, YouTubers, educators, and influencers who create content around e-commerce, online business, or digital marketing. Unlike other affiliate programs focusing on product sales, Shopify affiliates earn commissions by driving merchant sign-ups. This makes it a great option for those who educate or assist entrepreneurs in launching online stores.

With Shopify being one of the most popular e-commerce platforms – powering over 5 million stores worldwide – the affiliate program presents an excellent earning opportunity and being one of the most successful affiliate programs. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced marketer, Shopify provides a reliable and scalable way to monetize your content while helping businesses establish their online presence.

How does the Shopify Affiliate Program work?

The Shopify Affiliate Program is straightforward and designed to reward affiliates for bringing new users to the platform. 

1. Sign up and get approved

To join the program, you must apply through the Shopify Affiliate Program page. Shopify typically looks for individuals with an established online presence, such as bloggers, YouTubers, digital marketers, or educators who create content around e-commerce. Once approved, you’ll receive access to your unique referral link.

2. Promote Shopify

Affiliates can promote Shopify through blog posts, YouTube videos, email marketing, social media, or online courses. You’ll use your unique tracking link to direct potential users to Shopify. Shopify also provides marketing materials, including banners, logos, and content guidelines, to help with promotions.

3. Earn commissions on referrals

When someone clicks on your Shopify affiliate links and signs up for a paid plan, you earn a commission. Unlike traditional affiliate programs that reward sales, Shopify’s program focuses on new store sign-ups, making it easier for content creators to earn.

4. Track your performance

Shopify provides an affiliate dashboard where you can track clicks, sign-ups, and commissions. This allows you to monitor your progress and optimize your promotional strategies.

5. Receive payouts

You can receive your payouts monthly for every approved referral. By being a Shopify affiliate, you can generate passive income while helping entrepreneurs build successful e-commerce businesses.

See more: Best high-paying affiliate programs in 2025

Shopify affiliate commission

Shopify offers high commission rate, yet not every referrals is commissionable.

Commission eligibility by Shopify Plan

Not all Shopify plans qualify for affiliate commissions. Shopify Starter, Shopify Lite, and Shopify Plus are not eligible for payouts. However, affiliates can earn commissions on referrals for Basic Shopify, Shopify, and Advanced Shopify plans, depending on the merchant’s location. Additionally, commissions apply to the POS Pro Plan, but only if the referred merchant subscribes at least one retail location to a full-price POS Pro plan.

Shopify Affiliate Commission by Country

The Shopify Affiliate Program offers a one-time commission for each new merchant who signs up for a paid plan using your referral link. Unlike recurring commission models, Shopify provides a lump-sum payment based on the plan the referred user selects.

Typically, affiliates typically earn $100–$500 per referral when a user subscribes to a paid Shopify plan. Higher payouts may be available for Shopify Plus referrals (enterprise-level clients).

The commission amounts vary based on the merchant’s location:

• $150 USD: United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, and several other countries.
• $100 USD: France, Italy, Spain, and numerous other regions.
• $25 USD: India.
• $10 USD: Brazil.

Please check for details in Shopify’s affiliate commission guide.

The commission is only earned when the referred user purchases a paid plan (not during the free trial). Shopify tracks referrals through your unique affiliate link and assigns the commission once the user completes their sign-up. Affiliates can earn unlimited commissions, depending on how many successful referrals they generate.

There’s no cap on earnings – some top affiliates generate thousands of dollars per month by consistently referring new Shopify users through content marketing, SEO, and paid ads.

Commission for Shopify Partner

Additionally, if you’re a Shopify Partner building development stores for clients, you can earn up to a 20% recurring commission on the merchant’s monthly subscription fee. There are no cap earnings for Shopify Partners. See details on their page.

Shopify affiliate payout

Shopify pays affiliates through a simple and transparent payout system, ensuring commissions are received on time.

• Commission approval: Once a referred user upgrades to a paid Shopify plan, the commission is recorded in your affiliate dashboard.
• Payment schedule: Shopify processes payments on a bi-monthly basis (every two weeks).
• Minimum payout threshold: Affiliates must earn at least $25 before receiving a payout. If the threshold isn’t met, earnings roll over to the next cycle.
• Payment method: Shopify pays affiliates via PayPal, so a valid PayPal account is required to receive earnings.

Payments are processed every two weeks, but it can take an additional five business days for the funds to appear in your PayPal account. 

If a referred user cancels their Shopify plan before the free trial ends, the commission is voided and won’t be paid out.

If there’s an issue with your PayPal account or your earnings don’t reach the $25 threshold, Shopify holds the funds until the next eligible payout cycle.

Who should be Shopify affiliates?

Shopify affiliates come from various backgrounds, but they all share a common goal: promoting Shopify and earning commissions for successful referrals.

• Content creators & bloggers

Bloggers and niche website owners write in-depth content about eCommerce, online business, and Shopify-related tutorials. They often use SEO to attract potential store owners and include Shopify affiliate links in their content.

For example: A business blogger writes a guide on “How to Start a Dropshipping Business” and includes a Shopify referral link.

• YouTubers & video marketers

YouTubers create videos on topics like Shopify tutorials, store-building tips, and business success stories. They include their affiliate links in the video description to drive sign-ups.

• Social media influencers

Influencers on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and Facebook promote Shopify to their audience. They use story links, posts, and short videos to explain Shopify’s benefits.

• Course creators & educators

Many online educators and course creators teach eCommerce and dropshipping. They recommend Shopify as the best platform for students and include an affiliate link in their courses. For instance, a digital marketing instructor on Udemy offers an eCommerce course with a Shopify sign-up link for students.

• Agencies & Shopify experts

Marketing agencies, web designers, and Shopify Experts help businesses build and optimize Shopify stores. They refer clients to Shopify and earn commissions when new users sign up.

• Affiliate marketers & paid traffic experts

Some affiliates run paid ad campaigns on Google, Facebook, or YouTube to generate leads for Shopify. They optimize their funnels to drive high-converting traffic to Shopify’s signup page.

So what makes a successful Shopify affiliate?

Successful Shopify affiliates typically have a well-defined audience interested in eCommerce and online business. They create high-value content that educates and guides potential store owners, making it easier for them to get started with Shopify. Leveraging multiple marketing channels, such as blogs, YouTube videos, and social media, they maximize their reach and engagement. Additionally, they focus on SEO and content optimization to drive consistent, long-term traffic, ensuring a steady stream of referrals and commissions.

Overall, anyone with an audience that aligns with Shopify’s target market can become a Shopify affiliate and earn commissions by referring new store owners.

Is the Shopify affiliate program worth it?

Yes, the Shopify affiliate program is a great opportunity for those who create valuable content about eCommerce, online business, and digital entrepreneurship. With high commissions, a reputable brand, and a growing demand for eCommerce solutions, it offers strong earning potential. Affiliates can make significant income by driving new users to Shopify, especially with well-optimized content and strategic marketing efforts.

How long does it take to earn $1,000 with Shopify affiliate program?

Now, let’s calculate how long it takes to earn $1,000 with the Shopify Affiliate Program based on commission rates by country.

Referrals from High-Payout Countries ($100 – $150 per referral)

• Countries: US, Canada, UK, Australia, Germany, etc.
• $1,000 ÷ $150 = ~7 referrals
• If you get 5 referrals/month, you’ll earn $1,000 in about 1.5 – 3 months.

Referrals from Low-Payout countries (less than $25 per referral)

• $1,000 ÷ $25 = 40 referrals
• At 10 referrals/month, it would take 4 months to 6 months reach $1,000.

The time it takes depends on your target audience’s country and your referral rate. If you’re mainly referring merchants from the US, Canada, UK, or Australia, you can make $1,000 in about 1–2 months with consistent signups. However, if most referrals come from lower-paying countries like India or Brazil, it could take 4–6months or more.

Please check on Shopify’s rule for better promotion strategy.

Conclusion

If you’re looking to earn money through affiliate marketing, the Shopify affiliate program is definitely a great option to consider.  With its competitive commissions, strong brand reputation, and easy-to-promote platform, it offers plenty of potential for success. 

By focusing on the right audience, creating helpful and valuable content, and leveraging SEO, you can start earning commissions and see solid results. Whether you’re new to affiliate marketing or you’re looking to take your strategy to the next level, Shopify’s affiliate program is a fantastic way to build a steady stream of income while sharing the benefits of an amazing eCommerce tool with your audience.